When it comes to pickup trucks, the words Hilux and durability are practically synonymous. Thanks to a recent endorsement from a certain internet influencer, Hiluxes are all the rage right now as Americans are finally getting a taste of the indestructible truck never offered for sale to the US market. Toyota has long been one of the most respected truck manufacturers, and it’s not uncommon to see a healthy amount of classic Toyota trucks still roaming the streets today. While U.S roads are still filled with plenty of 1990’s Toyota pickups, it’s quite rare to find a diesel powered double cab Hilux pickup out on America’s highways and byways, due to the fact that certain trucks, like this pristine example, were unavailable stateside. This 02/1997 model year Hilux “SSR-X” is one of the youngest Hilux pickups on US shores, and comes equipped with a 2.8l “3L” engine, Toyota’s steadfast, naturally aspirated four cylinder diesel powerplant. While the 3L is no powerhouse, delivering 90 hp and 135 lb/ft of torque, it does its job well and reliably gets this Hilux where it needs to go, whether that’s on or off the road. On the exterior of the truck, while still being finished in Toyota's '751' Evergreen Pearl paint, the auction sheet reports that this vehicle has seen a respray at some point in its life. Translating to approximately 86,820 verified miles, this Hilux appears to have been treated very well in Japan and even received an esteemed grade 4 rating at the auction, with no previous accident or repair record on the truck at all. The undercarriage is free of rust, the chrome on the bumper and other accents is shiny and smooth, and the body is straight with no major dents or dings to be found anywhere. The previous owner has fitted a set of aftermarket 16” OZ racing chrono wheels to really make this Hilux stand out. Wrapped in a new set of all season tires this truck is ready to serve its next owner well with whatever tasks await. An optional bed cover is not shown but will be included with the vehicle. Some light scratches are present on the body in the painted truck bed, which is to be expected from a vehicle designed for hauling. The interior looks fantastic and was clearly well taken care of during this truck’s time in Japan. The original cloth seats are free of rips, tears, or stains. The dash has a slight crack on the top, but all other plastics are in great shape and buttons and switches function as expected, notably the air conditioning, which blows ice cold. The OEM three spoke steering wheel has held up nicely over the years and shows no signs of cracking or peeling. The previous owner has brought the cabin up to modern standards and upgraded the head unit and door speakers. While the system is in Japanese it is still compatible with USB and Bluetooth for anyone looking to listen to their favorite jams. Turn the key and the aforementioned diesel engine roars to life. The engine idles and accelerates smoothly and appears to have been serviced well by the previous owner, judging by the timing belt replacement record on the front cover. While you won’t be using this Hilux to win any races, the 5 speed manual transmission is a solid pairing for this engine, and is geared well to handle off roading or towing situations. Speaking of off roading, this SSR-X model features selectable 4WD to tackle any all terrain situation! The 4WD selector selects gears smoothly and the center diff lock engages without a hitch. With such low mileage, this Hilux is just getting broken in, and is ready to to uphold its indestructible reputation on US shores.